A Medal for ‘Miss Newkerk’

Winner of the IUP President’s Medal of Distinction

During Indiana’s 2009 Leaders’ Circle Awards event in March, Nancy Newkerk received the IUP President’s Medal of Distinction. She was recognized for professional achievement, as well as for dedication, support, and service to the university. The President’s Medal is the highest nondegree award presented by the university.

Newkerk had two professional careers with the university. The first was the “Miss Newkerk” period. It spanned the decade 1957 to 1967, when Newkerk served as dean of women. In 1978, after a sojourn at Hartwick College, she returned as associate dean of admissions. She retired in 1994.

A devoted fan of IUP athletics, Newkerk attends most home basketball and football games and tutors athletes. She is also a mainstay of the Carol Teti Memorial Scholarship Committee and serves on other groups connected with scholarships. She is an honorary member of the IUP Athletic Hall of Fame and is active on the board of University Acquisitions, Inc., which is connected with IUP’s University Museum.